Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
I would love to visit Churchill in Manitoba, Canada. Churchill lies on the edge of the Arctic and it is known as the “polar bear capital of the world” with around a thousand polar bears migrating there from July to November. Polar bears aren’t the only wildlife to see in Churchill, the world’s largest population of beluga whales gather around Manitoba’s Hudson Bay coastline between June and September. That’s not all, there are over 250 species of birds to see, dog sledding to experience and, perhaps the most magical of all, the northern lights dance over Churchill in the night sky. What’s not to love? Hopefully, I’ll make it there one day.
Across Canada by Train
Toronto to Vancouver by rail. 4,466 kilometres of railway showing off Canada’s stunning countryside, rugged landscapes, prairie fields, lakes and waterfalls. I’ve never been to Vancouver before, but my favourite holiday was to Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls in winter (loads of snow!).
Do you see a theme coming on? Yes, I love Canada!
Scotland by Train
I’ve visited Edinburgh, Glasgow, Balloch (Loch Lomond) and Stirling by train, but I’d love to travel further north to the more remote places. Having read Tiny Stations by Dixe Wills (a very interesting book about Britain’s railway request stops), it has spurred me on more. Taking the Caledonian Sleeper train to Scotland is another plan.
Shetland Isles
Remote Scottish isles with a chance of Northern Lights, plenty of wildlife and history. My kind of place!
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is the one part of the UK where I’ve not yet been. I’d love to visit Belfast, Giant’s Causeway and maybe take a train from Belfast down to Dublin.
I think a lot of people see travel as going somewhere beyond their country’s borders, yet they often fail to explore their own country. I think the UK has a lot of offer and there’s so much of it I haven’t yet seen.
The Galápagos Islands
All those wonderful animals in such a remote place (although I’ve read it’s getting rather popular now). I don’t think I’ll ever have the money to go there, but one can dream!
The USA
There is so much to see in such a vast country! I think maybe a road trip or a train trip would be in order to see as much of the country as possible. I think New York and the Grand Canyons are a given, but I’m open to recommendations for the rest of the country.
I love watching travel shows (I’m very much an armchair adventurer!), so I know there are loads of places I’ve missed out, but I’ll save those for another Travel Bucket List post.
Where in the world would you like to go?
Now that’s a wide open question I’m not sure I could narrow down to just a few places! I’ve never been to Canada, but always thought I’d enjoy seeing Vancouver. You might have me convinced on your choice, though, since seeing the Northern Lights is pretty high up on my bucket list. I’ve been dog-sledding before and loved it, so I’d welcome another opportunity.
And as far as places to see in the US – that might depend entirely on whom you ask! I think we all have our favorite spots. 🙂 (and there’s plenty here in the US I’ve yet to see myself!)
Mother and father-in-law, got to go to Canada as a retirement present to themselves and absolutely loved it, so I think that would be quite high up my bucket list too.
We have only ventured up into Scotland once and that was only as far as the Trossachs area. We stayed in a privately owned castle in Fintry and apart from the fact that it rained for almost the entire week, we had a lovely time and the scenery was amazing. We keep promising ourselves a return trip there some day ..
https://www.culcreuch.com/
I have to admit that the older we are getting, the less we have the urge to venture too far afield on long haul flights. There are so many beautiful places in our own country and in other countries much nearer, that we would be spoilt for choice for some time to come.
I quite like the idea of The Channel Islands too!
Good Luck with any travel plans you make for this year and I look forward to seeing all your lovely pictures 🙂
Yvonne
My parents once took the train across Canada and enjoyed it. I’d love to visit the Shetlands. Iceland is on my bucket list too.
I don’t really have wanderlust, I agree though that the UK has a lot to offer. There’s so many places within my own country that I haven’t seen or explored yet. Scotland is on my list and so is the Lake District and I’d definitely like to see more of Wales, I enjoyed my short trip to North Wales last year that it’s whetted my appetite to see other areas.
Last year, I went straight to the top of my bucket list with a dream holiday to Rome, Italy. I still have Venice, Florence and Lake Garda on my list 😀
I would also love to do the Shetland Isles!
I haven’t been to any of those places. My list would change with my mood 🙂
Great list! We’ve been across a part of Canada (Vancouver to Calgary) on that Rocky Mountaineer train. We’d driven in the other direction and spent time on the glaciers etc. And we’ll be visiting some of eastern Canada later this year. One of our stopping places on Vancouver Island had bears on the beach, but they were black bears not polar!
There’s so much to do in the USA, but a western trip including some Route 66, California 1, some proper desert and Pacific coast makes for a brilliant trip. New York also great but could be an intense city break (?)
Perfect picks! Scotland by train looks stunning.
Corinne x
Oh my gosh, travelling from Toronto to Vancouver by train must be SUCH an incredible experience – can you imagine the views?! I hope you end up doing that soon, as I’d love to see your blog on it haha 🙂
aglassofice.com
x
Wow that’s a list, I must be a very boring person, or else very contented, I can’t think of a single thing to pub on my bucket list.
Yes yes yes I would love to do a bunch of these! Especially Scotland by train. I’m in Aberystwyth so could take a steam train part of the way which I think would be super cool – and then there’s the whole Scotland thing in general! I’ve only been to Scotland once but absolutely adored it and would love to go back myself.
Amy;
Little Moon Elephant
I love your list. Shetland Isles are on my list too, but they are so far from me (Liverpool), that it takes over 20 hours to get there. Not sure I’ll be able to go there this year either. Anyway, there are plenty of other things I would love see closer to home.
I can’t wait to see your posts about your trips. x
I’d never heard of Churchill before but this post has put it high on my list – I’d love the chance to see all those amazing animals!
I have a real soft spot for Scotland, and I’d love to visit the Shetland Islands in particular! Love your list 😀
A fab travel bucket list. I have been to Indonesia twice but have never made it to Thailand so would love to go there. America is somewhere I really want to go.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to be sent on a short Canadian rail trip from Montréal to Québec City. It was such an amazing experience, even though it was a relatively short journey. The scenery was stunning and the service impeccable. Next, I’d love to ride from Toronto to Vancouver, bolting on a cruise to Alaska (my #1 bucket list destination).
I’d also like to head to Spitsbergen in Norway to see polar bears, although now you’ve suggested Churchill….. 😛